Raven woke up at 11 AM only to see the impossible happen two hours later... and then again. And add to the mix that love is in the air! RavenRobin Valentine's Day story. Bill Murray, eatcher heart out.

Disclaimer: Not mine. The only thing I have is the can of Grog. And that's
mine! My Grog!

Okay, no it isn't. Just...enjoy the story, folks.

Valentine's Day.

The calendar didn't lie. It was February 14th already. She looked at the
clock, it was 11 AM. She had slept in.

"Oh joy of joys,"
proclaimed Raven, her voice a careful deadpan. It wasn't that she had anything
particularly against the idea of a festival dedicated to what has, at times,
been referred to as the pompitous of love. She was sure that the songwriter had
made up the word, but it fit.

And, to be frank, she secretly enjoyed the decorations. Pink hearts and
violet flowers adorned the cards that her friends had scrambled to get out. The
colors, the atmosphere, everything was almost relaxing. But, then the bars came
down and she had only to watch at a distance.

And that was the part she loathed about Valentine's Day. She was curious
about it, certainly, but there's no way she could allow herself even one day of
indulgence. Like an alcoholic, she vowed that even one drop of emotion was one
drop too much. She gave a heavy breath and rose from meditation and, taking one
of the books at random from her shelf. "Immortal Beloved again?" she murmured as she
read the title from the cover. She put it back and pulled another, saying with a
smile "Much better," as she took a collection of short stories and poems by
Edgar Allen Poe.

She wasn't entirely sure what she was expecting when she walked out of the
door, but it certainly wasn't Cyborg running angrily after a small mouse that
had a rather large envelope in its tiny jaw. "Give that back, you green skinned
little--!" Raven fell to the ground from the force Cyborg rammed her with.
"Raven! Look, I'm really sorry --"

"I think I can tell if you're sorry or not," Raven said. She left Cyborg
hanging on his last word as she headed towards the living room. She threw her
book against the seat, and took to rubbing her side. "That hurt," she said, her
tone almost pathetic.

"Raven!" that voice she dread called. Its perky enthusiasm caused fear to run
down her back, leaving a trail of goosebumps on her pallid skin. "What a
glorious celebration is today! I wish you to be one of my platonic Valentines
today," she said, obviously previously informed of what the day was.

"Thanks but, uh, no thanks." Starfire was crestfallen, prompting Raven to
think of something to say. Nothing came to mind, so she said nothing at all.
Starfire sniveled, slightly. It was a wretched show, and Raven just buried her
nose further into her book.

"I understand." Starfire seemed to try and be optimistic about it, "You must
have many friends and you wish that I use my most special platonic Valentine upon one who
truly needs it." She gave a bright smile, "I am moved by your compassion, Raven!
And now, if you will allow me, I shall aid in the preparations of a feast for the celebrations!"

"Whatever," Raven muttered. It was already shaping up to be one of those
days. She had just settled into reading when she felt something crawl up her
leg. It was small, furry, and had sharp claws. She felt her voice catch in her
throat. She wanted to do something to remove the small pest. So she took the
book and slammed it upon the small rodent when it approached her lap.

"Ouch!" Beast Boy's voice announced, "You could have not hit me so hard." He
reverted to normal, the envelope he had carried from earlier still in his mouth.
He took it and looked at it. "Aha! The key to finding out who Cyborg's dream
girl is. Let's just open it up and --"

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Raven muttered.

"Well, you're not. And why wouldn't you? Aren't you curious?" he waved the
envelope in front of Raven, attempting to tempt her.

"Maybe. But that's irrelevant."

"Huh?" Beast Boy finally noticed the shadow that had fallen over him. He
turned around and looked straight into the enraged face of his friend Cyborg. It
was tinted red with embarrassment and rage, and the cybernetic eye did a
wonderful job intimidating with its silent, crimson glow. "Oh, uh." He gave a
nervous giggle, "Hey, Cyborg. Fancy seeing you," he began to trail off as
Cyborg's face deepened into a calm gaze, "here?"

"Beast Boy, I'm going to be fair and give you a chance to hand me that
letter." Beast Boy gazed innocently back at Cyborg. Raven saw that it only
further enraged the behemoth genius, and fought back amusement at the thought of
how foolish Beast Boy was for taunting him.

"Letter?" Beast Boy said, "What letter?" He slyly brought up the letter to
show to Cyborg. "Oh!" he declared, rehearsed, "You mean this letter?"

"Well, I suppose," Beast Boy said, slowly extending the letter to Cyborg. He
then drew it back as Cyborg tried to grab it. "I suppose that I'll just have to
keep it." Beast Boy laughed hysterically, finding himself drawing pleasure from
Cyborg's obvious embarrassment. Raven wryly regarded him as the little brother
none of the Titans ever had.

And, at least in her case, never wanted.

"Come back here, you little twerp!" Cyborg yelled after the escaping
shape-shifter. "You think you could help me out here, Dark Girl?"

Raven gave him a rare, menacing smile, "No. It's your problem, so deal with
it by yourself."

"You do that," Raven said, turning the page. Just as she was solving the
mystery of the Rue Morgue, there was a racket unlike any she had heard before.

"You roasted my letter! I can't believe you roasted my letter!" Cyborg
screeched at the top of his lungs. Raven only melted further into her book, not
wanting to look up. "How did you roast my letter? Did you stick it in there with
the -- what is this? Tofu Turkey? Tofurkey?"

"He stuck a big lump of tofu in here, and then felt," Raven could just
imagine the expression. Veins bursting on his neck, accelerated heart rate. His
eye must be twitching sporadically. The pause was interjected by a meekly Beast
Boy.

"Compelled?"

"Yeah, thanks." There was another brief pause, "I'm still not happy with you.
He then felt compelled to, to pass it off as real meat. And then he roasted my
letter!"

"That is most horrible! I assume that it was truly an honest mistake?"

"Mistake?" Cyborg asked. "Mistake?"

"Yeah, Cy. It was an accident!" Beast Boy managed to say. He then squeaked
out, "I didn't mean to roast your letter."

"Guys, can't we just...?"

"No, Robin. This joke's gone way too far. When my letter to -- that's not
important -- gets roasted, I'm not laughing."

"I'm sorry, Cy. I didn't mean to."

Raven shut her book and glided towards the kitchen. "Can't we all just shut
up?" Everyone looked at her, "Let's just go order a pizza or something."
Everyone looked a bit upset. Robin shrugged, looking at everyone else. "What?"

"We were kind of hoping to do something, you know, special?" Robin explained.

"Fine, we don't have to get pizza. There are plenty of restaurants out there.
Just so long as we don't have to eat that monstrosity," she explained, eying the
offending tofurkey.

"But Raven, I need to still prepare my make-up." The door slammed shut before
she could finish. Raven shrugged, and walked to the door.

Cyborg was decked out in casual evening dress, and looked a bit
uncomfortable. His robotic limbs made the fabric strain to contain it. Raven
couldn't contain a bit of laughter at him. He looked at her angrily, and turned
to knocking again, "Star? We gotta get going."

"Thank you, Cyborg!" she said, giggling. She feigned embarrassment. "You are
only saying that, are you not?"

"No!" Cyborg said, "Really mean that."

Beast Boy peeked his head around the corner, "Cy, c'mon. We gotta get going.
You're driving, remember?" He then noticed what Cyborg was looking at. "Yowza."

Raven rolled her eyes, "Let's get going, gentlemen," she said, taking
mental hold of
their clothing to drag them along. "Come on, Starfire." Starfire nodded as she
followed along. "You seem to be making a splash."

"Am I?" Star giggled. Raven rolled her eyes.

"What took you so long?" Robin said, as they approached. As soon as Starfire
rounded the corner into the garage, his eyes widened and simply acknowledged,
"Oh."

The restaurant was a small family restaurant called Eden's Crest that was
located about an hour from the tower. It wasn't particularly expensive, much to
Robin's delight, and it still had a nicer atmosphere than the usual pizza place.
Raven groaned, sitting down at the table while the guys all fought over who
would seat Starfire. She looked around, couples and family all enjoying the
festival of love kept to their own business, laughter and fun invaded the
atmosphere.

And then there was the romance. It sickened her. At least with this bunch she
wouldn't have to worry about it.

"I want a tofu burger."

"They don't sell that junk here, BB."

"I want one."

"You shoulda called in advance."

"What are you going to have, then, Cy?"

"Steak."

"Yuck! Meat?" Beast Boy complained. "I'd rather eat seafood."

"You know, I never understood why that was always an exception," Robin
commented.

"Friends! Friends!" Starfire pleaded. Raven looked at the scene in front of
her with such disdain that she had no other course of action but to rise from
the table.

"Hey!" Cyborg said, "What's the matter, Raye?"

"Nothing. Just going to powder my nose." There was a deafening silence from
the boys. They all looked furiously from one another. Raven just shook her head
as she walked out of the restaurant. She could hear the conversation wind on as
she walked to the door.

"What you think got under her skin?"

"What's she going to do to us when she gets back."

"Just calm down, guys. She's not going to--"

"You heard what she said. She doesn't even carry a compact around." She
didn't see Starfire rise up, but heard her excusing herself. Raven just walked
out regardless, not turning around.

She closed her eyes, sighed, and turned to walk down the street when she felt
herself run into something cool and clammy. "Going somewhere?" the
thing said. She looked up at a familiar looking young man. His pasty white skin
gleamed in the daylight. He cocked his head to the side and looked down at her
with a flirtatious glance.

"Yes."

"Where's that, Raven?" Raven did a double-take. "I'm a fan, what can I
say. Especially after you saved my concert last time I was in town, I had to pay
you back somehow." She recalled where she had seen his face. He was a member of
a band called Afterlife and was their guitarist. His name was Limbo.

"Limbo?" Raven exclaimed. She cleared her throat, and assumed a passive
stance, "It's, er, been a while."

"Yeah," the Goth rocker said with an almost awkward pause. He cleared his
throat, "How's it been hanging since then?"

"Since when?" Raven asked. Then it dawned on her, "Oh, the concert. Er, I've
been okay."

"That's cool."

She hesitated for only a moment before she asked, "How about you?" Limbo
shrugged. "Success been getting to you?" She was a bit surprised by his long
drawn out sigh. He looked to her.

"Can you keep a secret?"

"Surprisingly for where I live," Raven said, "Yes. What's the secret?"

"You're real cool, Raven." Limbo's took a breath, and looked up at the sky.
"I'm thinking I'll be leaving this celebrity game. Maybe strike it out on my own
and do some low-key projects."

"You're leaving Afterlife?" she whispered. He looked at her.

"Surprised?"

"Yes. What's the matter with the band? You're one of my favorites."

"Thanks, Raven." Limbo took her hand, and a chill ran down Raven's spine. "I
guess I've just been too moody for my own good. The fame game just isn't working
for me. I want to take some time to be me."

Raven found herself blushing in spite of herself. "I wish I could help. I
still owe you for signing my copy of Made in Hell." He raised his brow, and she
responded a bit baffled, "It's almost the story of my life."

"Really?" Limbo asked. Then it seemed an idea crossed his mind. Whatever
the idea was, it certainly amused him, and a grin spread across Limbo's face, a
frightening and dangerous thing. "Hey, how about I buy you dinner?"

"I," Raven hesitated. She was about to say that she couldn't.
However, certainly she could. It wasn't like she was going to be
missed by the Titans. "I suppose I could --"

She was cut off by the doors to the restaurant being burst opening and a
bubbly voice calling her name repeatedly. "Raven!" Starfire called, "You were not in the bathroom, and we were oh so
very worried." She noticed Limbo and paused, "Who are you talking to?
Oh! I remember you. Mr. Limbo! Friend Raven has told me about you in some
detail."

"Er, not really," Raven said.

"I'm flattered, Starfire." He winked at her and said, "I hope you've been
taking care of yourself."

"I have most certainly. I must thank you for the gift you gave all of
us, we treasure it very much. I also wish to congratulate you on finding a new front person for
your musical band."

"Thanks." Limbo's grin faded for a minute, "Er, if you don't mind. I was
asking Raven here out on a date, and..." he trailed off.

Starfire clasped her hands together. "Oh! How wondrous. But," Star said, looking a tad disappointed.
Her glance turned to Raven. "You were going to leave us?" Raven hesitated,
looking at Star's big innocent eyes. She looked at Limbo's diseased smile and
paused. Something about those teeth just bugged her. They were too sharp. They
looked like they weren't designed to eat, but to intimidate.

It didn't take Robin's detective skills to realize that if one member of the
band just happened to be a demon, it wasn't unlikely that there wasn't more than
one in the band.

"No, I don't think so. Let's go back to the table." Limbo watched her leave,
shocked that she had refused. Then his face twisted into a scowl. Flakes of skin
fell to the ground and pale red skin shone through.

"I'm not taking no for an answer," he yelled in Raven's direction. His face
contorted in ugly ways.

Raven just scoffed. "Then let me repeat it as a response. No." She shut the
door on Limbo's face. Raven looked to Starfire. "Starfire, we've got to leave.
I've got a bad feeling about that guy."

"I concur," Starfire responded.

When they returned to the table, there were drinks set at each of their
places. A cup of black tea sat for Raven, and she kind of smiled. "Hey there,
ladies." Beast Boy wagged his eyebrows, "We got drinks."

"Er, yes," Raven said, monotone. "You got me tea?" She took a sip of it.
Earl Grey. Not her usual choice, but it was still satisfactory. "It's good."

"Good!" Beast Boy said, happily. "Robin ordered it."

"Er, let me get your seat," Robin said.

"No!" Cyborg said, "I'll get it."

"I can get it my--" the boys had already pulled out the chair and smiled
widely. "Why are you being so nice?"

"We kinda want to get carried away," Beast Boy said, "And,
well, you've been all angry with us today for some reason we kind of gave you
some space. But, well, you've just been getting angrier. We're taking another
approach."

"Lay off," Robin hissed. "Look, Raven. It hasn't exactly been the perfect
day for any of us. I know for one thing nothing's been going my way. But that's
not important. We don't get second chances, but we can make the most of the
afternoon."

"While I agree wholeheartedly with the sentiments that have herein been made,
I must urge that we leave this establishment at the soonest moment that we can
avail." Starfire cleared her throat, "Raven has a most ardent admirer who is
unwilling to respond to her rejection in a mature and civilized manner." There
was the sound of a door being thrown off its hinge by someone up front. "I would
surmise that is him."

"Thanks, Star, we kind of made that association already," Cyborg said. He
rose from the table. "Let's make nice and say hello. What do you say, guys?"

"Definitely," Robin said. He gave Raven a smile. "Don't worry, your three
knights are here."

The ruckus from the foyer burst into the room as a winged figure calmly moved
into the room. Flakes of pale skin hung desperately to his face, but the red
underneath burst forth, oozing and surrounding him. His teeth were even more
defined than before, more intimidating and more evil. Limbo calmly strode
towards Raven, forcing tables aside with a wave of his hand.

"Go away, Limbo." Raven yelled, "Or I'll, I'll, I'll do something drastic."
She couldn't think of anything that would actually be somewhat threatening to
the form in front of her.

"My name is Goth," the demon said. "And you, Raven, you are mine. None of your
friends can have
you." The Titans rose from their seats, defensively. "So what do you say, Raven.
Be my Valentine?" that sick grin asked.

"We'll blast him if he tries anything." Cyborg's gun came to life, destroying
the sleeve of his dress shirt, "Aw man!" Starfire looked on with pleading eyes
and her hands glowing furiously. They all looked to Raven for their answer, and
Raven looked back.

"Guys, I--" then something struck her.

This was familiar.

And she knew something bad was going to happen.

"I won't," she said, almost dreading the reaction, "Be yours."

"Too bad," Goth said. "Then you won't be anyone's." He
raised his hand and leveled it towards Raven. There was a dryness in the air
that seemed to ignite. She could see Robin running towards Goth with his pole
out ready to strike. It struck, but it didn't seem to matter. Goth staggered
backwards and covered his face as Robin's skin was torn apart by an explosion of
hellfire from within.

Starfire charged, rage filling her every fiber. Raven could see the trail of
fire bursting from Star's skin, but it was already to late. Beast Boy staggered
backwards, frightened and confused just as her. His form exploded pathetically.
Cyborg fired his sonic blast, but the metallic parts malfunctioned under the
heat, sending his body into an explosion that rumbled like thunder. She turned
to look at Goth, but all she saw was her calendar.

Valentine's Day.

The calendar didn't lie. It was February 14th already. Wait, that didn't seem
right. It was Valentine's Day again. It was again 11 AM. She rose from her bed
and wiped the sweat from his brow. It was, she thought for a second, either the
second or the third time she had gone through that series of events. It was as
though the explosion that had torn apart the flesh of her friends had also torn
apart the fabric of time and now she was being forced to relive the day in every
little detail over and over again.

Or maybe it was a dream, that she couldn't wake up from. The story always
ended the same, their fates always miserable. The heat of the battle seemed so
real, but could it be a memory from long ago. She didn't really care to think
about it, and just picked up a book from the shelf. "Immortal Beloved
again?" she put it back. She then took another
book. "Edgar Allen Poe? I read this one last time." She put both books back.
She had actively decided in this strange repeating dream. She had control.

Perhaps she wasn't as
damned as she had thought. She opened the doorway and looked both ways. She knew
Cyborg would be approaching any minute now, chasing after Beast Boy with the
letter. It wasn't her business regardless. She waited until the mouse passed by
and counted the seconds before Cyborg would run passing through. "Three, two,
one."

"Give that back, you green skinned little rodent!" Raven deftly dodged and
began to walk to the living room. Then she stopped. She knew that if she
went in there she would run into Starfire. It wasn't something she particularly
wanted to deal with right now.

She turned back around and found herself colliding with someone. "Seems like
I can't go a day without running into someone."

"Sorry Raven!" Robin said, "Maybe I should make more noise." Robin offered
her a hand. Usually she would disregard such dated concepts, but she accepted
it.

"Always like playing the gentleman, don't you?" Raven said. She found herself
on her feet and a breath away from Robin's face. She saw him drawing closer, and
found herself lulled into a sense of security. She only managed to whisper,
"Thanks."

"Er," he murmured, "Yeah. I know. I just wanted to apologize again." There
was an uncomfortable moment as the atmosphere was shattered. There was a remnant
of the strange feeling that threatened her soul, but the mysticism was gone,
lost as Robin cleared his throat. "Yeah. See ya," he said.

She felt a familiar tickle on her legs as she watched Robin walk off. She
grabbed the object before it could climb higher and brought it to her shoulder.
"Beast Boy," She removed the letter from his mouth, "I'm going to warn you.
Don't pull any tofu tricks."

The mouse shifted to a cat, its large eyes pleading, "Would I do something
like that?"

"Yes," she said simply. She gave the letter back, "And don't roast this
thing." Beast Boy looked on innocently and trudged off. She didn't bother
following. Instead she walked up to the roof of the tower and waited until the
eventual explosion of tempers.

"You roasted my letter! I can't believe you roasted my letter!" Cyborg
screeched at the top of his lungs. Raven was amazed how it managed to travel all
the way up to the roof. "How did you roast my letter? Did you stick it in there
with the -- what is this? Tofu Turkey? Tofurkey?" She almost laughed. He
wouldn't give up, would he?

"Look, you just be quiet." He then launched into a tirade, almost immediately
contradicting what he had just said, "Tell me why you did it, man. Maybe you can
explain why you stuck a big lump of tofu in here, and then felt," Raven could
just imagine the expression. Veins bursting on his neck, accelerated heart rate.
His eye must be twitching sporadically. The pause was interjected by a meekly
Beast Boy.

"Compelled?"

"Yeah, thanks." There was another brief pause, "Quiet! Tell me why you felt
compelled to, to pass it off as real meat. And why did you roast the letter with
it?"

"I understand," Starfire said. "Thank you for being so honest. Do you truly
mean that you are flattered."

"Hey, if I celebrated the holiday, you'd be getting a card from me, too."

"Oh thank you! The thought means so much."

"No, Robin. This joke's gone way too far. When my letter to -- that's not
important -- gets roasted, I'm not laughing."

"I'm sorry, Cy. I didn't mean to."

"I should try and quell the arguments of our friends. Will you aid me?" Star
asked. Raven looked at the horizon and shook her head.

"Still trying to sort something out."

"Can I be of any assistance to you?" Star asked, only receiving a brief
shaking of her head. "Oh. I do not know when our feast will be prepared, Raven."

"Let's just eat out at the pizza place. I don't really feel like doing
anything too special today," she said. Starfire looked a bit downtrodden,
"Please?"

"I will approach the subject when speaking downstairs."

"Thank you."

Teenage couples sat at the tables at the Pizza Place. Their silly banter
infuriated Raven more than the romantic nonsense at the Eden's Crest. She looked
at the others, who looked a bit depressed to be here. She knew they'd be sour at
her, but she didn't want them to be blown to shreds, even if there were times
that Beast Boy reminded her too much of a pesky younger brother, or Cyborg's
temper got the best of him. She'd miss Starfire's effervescent attitude if she
was gone, and Robin. She wasn't sure what she'd miss about Robin. Just that it
was important.

It was 12:23 when they finally got to eating their pizza. "You know, if Beast
Boy didn't feel the need to be a wise guy and replace out turkey with a
tofurkey, we wouldn't be here," Cyborg related to Starfire. She only nodded
vacantly, looking towards Robin as he counted out the money for the bill.

"They don't enjoy it," Cyborg said. "You idiot." Raven looked up from her
plate. She talked aside to Beast Boy, tapping his shoulder to get his attention.

"Why is he still mad at you?"

"Cy takes an hour or two to cool down, usually." He frowned, looking a bit
repentant. He told her, "I did something real stupid this time, though. Letter
was burnt to a crisp. You couldn't read a letter on it."

"I see," Raven said. She looked at Cyborg's angry face and shook her head.
A feeling of guilt surged through her heart when she realized she could have
easily prevented the situation. She rose from her seat, "Excuse me."

"Raven?" Robin asked as he stood up. "What's up?"

"Nothing. I'm just going to powder my nose." She hurried away from the table
only to find Robin had been following her. She took the turn into the woman's
bathroom. She prayed Robin wouldn't follow her in there, and it seemed her
prayers had been answered. She looked in the mirror. "What a time for an
epiphany," she muttered. Something moved, and she caught it out of the corner of
her eye. She turned around, a great figure of red blotting out the mirror. "And
I'm imagining things." She turned around back to face the mirror only to find
another face peeking out.

"Half an hour, Raven, half an hour." Raven's eyes widened in shock and fear.
She ran out of the bathroom, bursting past the doors. She wildly looked around.
She didn't like being threatened. She hated being used. And most of all, she
hated anyone who thought they could get away with hurting her friends.

But there was no way he would get close enough to hurt them.

"Raye, hold up." She whirled around to come face to face with Robin, "Looking
for something?"

"Someone."

"Someone we know?" he asked. She looked at his awkward yet handsome face.

"And showing up again five seconds later." Raven frowned, "But how could I be
repeating the same day over and over again?"

"Maybe you watched too many Bill Murray movies?" Raven let herself chuckle at
that. "Well, I seem to have cheered you up at least a little bit."

"A little. I'm still not sure you understand," Raven said, "But I have to
find some way of breaking the loop before one in the afternoon." Robin tilted
his head. He was about to ask why when Raven shot him a dangerous glance, "Don't
ask me to tell you what I know, Robin. You wouldn't like it."

"Maybe what you need to do, Raven, is make sure the day turns out perfect?"

"I don't know. It seems too tidy." She frowned, "And for all I know, it was
just a horrible dream."

"You never know," Robin said. "We live in a world where Martians are green
and the world's greatest superhero is from Kansas." Raven looked at Robin
sidelong. "Or maybe we should just get home."

"Thanks," Raven said. "Always a gentleman."

Raven became more and more nervous as time went along. The closer it came to
one in the afternoon, the more jittery she became. The car parked in the garage
at 12:53. Seven minutes until the threat came through. And yet, there still
wasn't any sign of the demonic Goth.

"Maybe it was just," she thought, "Me going crazy." She walked up to the
living room with the rest of the Titans, hanging near the back. She looked
around one final time before setting herself down on the couch. "Quoth the
Raven, nevermore." She closed her eyes, glad to leave the nightmare behind.

The clock clicked down. She looked at the others, busying themselves with
their games and hobbies. They looked happy. It was now 12:59. It must have just
been a dream or illusion.

It wasn't uncommon to have a dream where you were thought something bad was
going to happen.

12:59:30

Except for one detail.

12:59:40

You can't read in dreams.

12:59:50

And unfortunately for Raven.

12:59:59

She just remembered that. Right that second.

1:00:00.

Valentine's Day

Raven woke up screaming. It was 11 AM, but she didn't even need to look to
know that. She only knew that she had two hours until the cycle would begin
again. She saw her friends die in front of her again. Their bodies were torn up from
within without the freak being anywhere nearby. And she kept screaming until her
voice was hoarse. It was like waking from a horrible nightmare, only to find
that the dream was real.

The door was torn open and Cyborg and Beast Boy stood there looking in
frightened. "Raven!"

She took deep breaths trying to calm herself. She looked at her room, which
had been torn up in the flurry of emotion that she had felt. Walls had been torn
inwards and her belongings were flung far and wide. Her two friends were focused
directly on her. She could feel the sweat beads on her face, and her skin felt
very cold.

"Raven, are you--?" Beast Boy was about to ask when Robin and Starfire came
rushing to the source of the scream.

"Yes," Raven said, her voice still hoarse, "Just a nightmare."

"Some nightmare," Robin said. "We heard you all over the tower." Raven
trembled, unsure of what to say. They all looked at her with concern. "You wanna
talk about it?" She shook her head. "Okay then. Er, why don't you just relax
today, Raven."

"Thanks," her voice hoarsely muttered. She fell back into her bed and pulled
the covers over herself. She could hear them all file away except one. Only
three pairs of feet had moved. She took a couple of awkward breaths, unsure of
what to do. After a couple of minutes, she heard someone clearing their throat. "Who's there?"

"Just me," Robin said. "I know you don't like crowds."

"No. Two's a crowd."

"You're not going to get up, are you?" Robin asked. "It's because it's
Valentine's Day, isn't it?" She wanted to scream out that it was. She wanted to
yell that she hated Valentine's Day. Every Valentine's Day was exactly the same.
It was the same Valentine's Day!

But she didn't. It wouldn't have made a difference if she did. He wouldn't
remember come tomorrow. Still, she thought, it was awfully sweet, that is to say
kind and considerate she later had mentally berated herself, of him to ask,
and it deserved an answer, even if it wasn't the truth. "Yes."

"We're teammates, we don't have to know each other intimately." Raven curled
up in her bed, too afraid to look at Robin. "I just don't want to get up today,
Robin."

"You'll waste the day away," he warned good-naturedly. If only he knew. "Now,
tell me. Is it Starfire's enthusiasm?"

"No."

"Cyborg and Beast Boy's running around like chickens with their heads' cut
off?"

"More like tofurkeys," Raven muttered wryly.

"What?"

"Nothing." Raven sighed, "It isn't that either."

"Okay then. What did I do?" Robin asked. She laughed sardonically. "What?"

"You've done nothing." Raven sighed.

"Sounds like something. Come on," Robin said. "Tell me."

"You're more concerned about Starfire."

"That's no--"

"Yes it is," Raven interrupted, "And you know that. Don't try and hide it."
Robin was blushing, she could imagine. "I know you don't put any of your friends
in front of another, but this is different. This isn't about friendship."

"Well, I..." Robin said, trailing off. He looked at her, "How do you know I
care about her as more than friends? Have you ever asked me?"

"No," Raven said. And then it dawned on her. She could and he wouldn't even
have to know. "But I'm asking now. Do you?" Robin took a little while to
respond. She could hear him taking a deep breath. "Well?"

"I'm not sure how you want me to respond," Robin said. "I'm almost afraid
Star put you up to this."

"She didn't. You have my word." Raven looked up from her covers and saw that
this had comforted him somewhat. That confused her.

"Good. I, I really don't. I've thought about it, sure. She's beautiful and
full of life, so, sure I've thought about it. It's just," Robin said, "I want
someone more dependable. I look at Batman and think how lonely he must be. I
want someone I can share my secrets with. Someone who's smart and witty, someone
who'd be there even if everything else went to Hell."

"And you don't think Starfire is that person?"

"I don't think she's looking for anything more than a brief, stormy affair."
Robin smiled, "And I want a woman who can give me the same love as my mother
did, not just passion."

"I understand," Raven said. She looked at his eyes through his mask and saw
him looking back. "Could you get out of my room?"

"Sorry."

"It's not proper for a guy to watch a lady change," Raven said playfully.
Robin perked up considerably, his expression lightening. "Go." She hurriedly
exited after she was dressed and looked around for Cyborg. She had found him
approaching the kitchen. Her expression flared up in fright. She knew where this
was heading. "Cyborg!"

"I'm going to give you a warning," Raven said. Cyborg looked at her
expectantly. He looked ready for news of a giant broken heart-shaped cruiser
that was approaching from outer space. "The turkey's made of tofu."

Cyborg looked at her as though she had grown a second head. "You feeling
okay, Raven? You're acting awfully considerate." It hurt Raven that she was seen
like that by her friends. However, if anything today had taught her anything in
its countless repetitions, it was that she was almost a complete jerk to
everyone.

"I'm feeling better than I have in my whole life," she said. "Er, who was
that letter for?"

"No one you'd know," he said defensively.

"Then tell me." She saw him mutter to himself, "What did you say?"

"I said it was for Miss Sarah."

"Sarah Simms?" Raven asked, "Isn't she the girl who volunteers with the kids
who have --" it dawned on her why he would. She helped kids deal with their new
prostheses, and if anyone had a prosthetic attached it was Cyborg. "Of course,"
she said, smiling slyly, "That makes perfect sense."

"Fine then," Raven said. "I won't tell anyone." She turned to leave.
"Remember, don't get too mad at Beast Boy." Cyborg shrugged, giving her his word
that he wouldn't. She didn't believe it for a second, but at least she now knew
what she could do for Cyborg. The rest of the Titans wouldn't be as simple, she
thought.

Starfire found Raven lurking the streets about twenty minutes later. She had
been looking everywhere in the tower for her. "Raven! Why are you out here on
such a day. We need your aid in deciding what we shall be doing for the rest of
the day. I was suggesting that we would take our time and prepare a grand feast
at home and then we could join in the festivities of others celebrating the Day
of Valentine and return home to sleep eager to begin a new day tomorrow!"

"That sounds nice, Star. Do that," Raven said. "I'm busy."

"Raven?"

"What time is it?"

"It is Twenty-three past the Hour of Eleven in the Time before Noon."
Starfire smiled, "And thirty-seven seconds. Thirty-eight, thirty-nine..."

"Thanks, Star. I've got an hour and a half at least, that's good," Raven
muttered. Star cocked her head to the side, unsure of what that meant. "Er,
Star. What do you feel about Robin?"

"Robin?" Starfire said. She drew her breath, "I, I do not believe that is
important, Raven." Raven smiled wryly. "Oh, very well then. I do care about him
so. He is so dashing, so daring. He is exciting!" Raven's smile then faded. She
was right, this was going to take a bit more work than finding out who Cyborg's
dream girl was. "What is the matter, Raven?"

"I could not," Starfire said. "It would be magical to be whisked away if he
shared my feelings, but what if he does not?" Starfire looked nervous. She had
every reason to, when Raven thought about it. They didn't match. Or at least,
they didn't match yet. She racked her brains trying to think of some way of
teaching her how to be a dependable sort.

"Hey," she murmured softly, "Help me pick something out for the guys."

"You will be celebrating Valentine's Day then? Oh glorious day! I wish to ask
you to be one of my platonic Valentines this year!" Starfire announced beaming.
Raven accepted with a brief nod and a quiet thanks. "You seem lost in thought,
Raven. Is something of concern weighing upon your brain?"

"Perhaps, Starfire." She frowned, "What do you want to happen today, most of
all?" Starfire thought on this, and smiled happily.

"Well, I would love for someone to sweep me off my feet."

"Someone, or someone in particular?" Raven asked. Starfire blushed madly, and
Raven knew the answer from that alone. "Maybe we should work on your approach.
You need to let him know that you're waiting for him to make his move," Raven
explained.

"You are not exactly the one I would expect to know such things," Starfire
said. She looked at the expression on Raven's face and quickly rounded, "No
offense."

"I know," Raven said calmly, "I don't seem to know how people work, but I
know how better than most people. Robin's insecure," she explained, "Unsure
about what he wants in a woman." She knew she was blatantly lying, but it was
better than explaining to Starfire that he had told her what he was looking for.

How could she bring herself to explain to her that he wasn't looking for
someone who's only interested in a brief fling. "What do I do?"

Raven returned to the tower with Starfire in tow. Star looked ready to take
on the world with her newly learned techniques, and Raven was hoping that it
would be enough. She made some notes mentally about the lesson for tomorrow. Nonetheless, Starfire seemed to have
honestly learned the material.

Now, all that was left was Beast Boy, and time was counting down until the
deadline. "Cyborg," Raven called as she spotted him, "Have you seen Beast Bo--"

"No, I haven't." Cyborg's voice was terse and angry, "Ask Robin."

Raven groaned, "He roasted your letter didn't he?"

"How--"

"A lucky guess," Raven cut him off. "Do you know where Robin is?"

"I think he was trying to fix up dinner," Cyborg said. "After Beast Boy
ruined it. But I'm calm. I'm not actively mad at him. I am the very epitome of,
of," Cyborg sought a word.

"Of passive aggressiveness?"

"No, but I'm considering it," Cyborg said. Raven shook her head, heading
towards the kitchen. It was 12:20 now. As she was about to enter she heard a
conversation. She kept her distance and listened.

"I was looking for Beast Boy," Raven said. "But," she said with but a
minute's hesitation, "I can spare a few minutes, I suppose."

"Really?" Robin said, "I guess I should be flattered."

"Yes, you should be."

"You've been rushing every which way since you got up. What's gotten into
you?"

"You gave me an idea," Raven admitted. "And I'm trying to make it a reality."

"Really?" Robin said. "What idea was that?"

"It was a while ago. You wouldn't remember."

"Really," Robin said, stressing the word. He thought back long and hard.
"Maybe I can remember it."

"I wouldn't try," she said. She took a seat on the counter next to Robin.
"Just trust me, this is one idea I'll just keep secret." She looked up at the
ceiling thinking. "What would make you happy this Valentine's Day?"

"That's strange," Robin said. He slowly treaded on the subject. "Why would
you, no offense, go out of your way for me?" Raven admitted he had a point to
herself internally, but didn't let it show on her face. She just moved her hands
and leaned back, seemingly thinking.

"It's, uh," Raven fumbled for an answer. She could feel his masked eyes
bearing down on her expectantly. "It's Valentine's Day isn't it? You were
explaining to Starfire that it was more than a day to celebrate passionate love,
but also platonic friendship." Raven shrugged, "You got me thinking, what can I
say."

"Wow. You actually listen to me. That's amazing," Robin said. She couldn't
tell if his tone was being sarcastic. He in turn leaned back, and she wondered
if he was looking for where her eyes were looking. She felt his fingers brush
against hers. They turned to look at one another. "Er, sorry," he muttered,
moving his fingers away.

She quickly consulted a clock. It was 12:25. She allowed herself a quick
impulse and put her hand over his, "That's alright." It wasn't like he was going
to remember this, she told herself. "And of course I listen to you. You're the
only sane one in this entire building."

"The only one? What about you."

"Crazy."

"Like a fox, I bet," Robin said. He laughed a bit, and he could hear that she
was also nervously laughing, and she looked around to make sure nothing
was exploding. It was almost comical to see her expression, so he laughed harder.
She, in turn, laughed a bit more assuredly. Within a minute they were
laughing for no reason but to laugh. "Maybe I'm crazy too."

"Impossible," Raven said. "You're still coherent. Now if you were acting like
Cyborg and his whole machismo thing, or Beast Boy and --" Beast Boy! She had to
find out a way to help him. It was still only 12:30. She could wait a bit
longer.

"Beast Boy and what?"

"Nothing," Raven said. "You never told me what would make you happy today."

"What's that supposed to mean. If I didn't know any better, I would say you
were making a move on me," Raven said. "You're too nice to do that, but still."

"Sorry," Robin said. "But for some reason, you actually really made me feel
better." He looked at her, smiling, "It's not every girl that a guy spends five
minutes laughing with."

"I was worried I'd destroy something," she said. She probably did and didn't
notice it. Unimportant in the bigger picture, but still of note to try and avoid
a similar situation again. She should just leave Robin to his business and get
on with hers. She looked at the clock. 12:31. Oh, she could spare another minute
or two. It wouldn't hurt, it couldn't possibly hurt. "Are you preparing a new
meal for us?"

"After the Tofurkey a la Love Letter incident, yes." Robin looked at her,
"That reminds me. You said something this morning about 'tofurkeys'. How did you
know Beast Boy was plotting that particular little insidious scheme?"

"I had a feeling," Raven said. "A sense of Deja Vu, I suppose."

"Cyborg's been trying to keep his temper in check, but Beast Boy knew he was
furious."

"He has every right."

"He actually told me you warned him about the Tofurkey. But not about the
letter." Robin smirked, "I'm impressed. You should be flattered how literally he
took your request. When he saw the toasted letter, he was steaming mad, but he
told us that you made him promise not to get too mad with Beast Boy."

"He did?" Raven said. She hadn't any idea she had that much leverage here.

"People really respect you, Raven. It's just you're sometimes so stand-offish
we just think it's better to respect your privacy. We were all expecting you to
be all fire and brimstone today."

The smell of brimstone reminded her. She remembered seeing their faces
contort in pain as the hellfire broke through their skin, their blood burning as
it came into contact with it. She could see their eyes welling up with tears as
it burned their insides.

"Stop," Raven said, her voice a harsh whisper. She stared at Robin, almost
disgusted he mention that smell. "Don't." She looked at the clock. It was
12:40. Robin noticed the expression and quickly interrogated her.

"What do you mean, 'Don't'?" he asked, visibly confused.

"Nothing," Raven said, regaining some of her composure.

"Are you sure?

"Nothing important," Raven said. Robin attempted to delve further, but
Raven wouldn't allow that. She blocked all his lines of inquiry, and insisted, "It's just too close. I need to find Beast Boy."

"I, I think he went to his room," Robin answered. This just added to his
confusion. "Are you sure you don't want to tell me what's bothering you,
Raven? I'm worried."

"It would take too long." She turned to leave, but said, "Thanks,"
as she left Robin with the kitchen all to himself. However, out
of the corner of her eye she saw him go over to the clock. If she had stayed a
minute longer, she would have seen him moving the clock back an hour, and then
forward again.

She ran into Starfire on her way to Beast Boy's room. She looked to be still
quite chipper about her talk with Robin a little while ago, and Raven couldn't
find it in her heart to tell Star what Robin had said. "Friend Raven, things are
extraordinarily wonderful today!" she exclaimed, "I am so glad you offered to
help me."

"It was nothing," Raven said. She felt empty enough for it to be true. "I
hope things go well, Starfire, but I've got to talk to someone."

"Beast Boy?" Starfire asked, "Was it what had happened between Cyborg and he
that concerns you so? For if it so, I have been alerted to the details by
Robin."

"I know what happened," Raven said, "I just need to know what could be done
to -- never mind."

"Very well," Starfire said, "But perhaps I could help."

"Unless you can tell me what could really make his day, I don't think so."
Raven walked off when Starfire rose her voice.

"I have spoken with him a few times this week about this very day, Raven."
She ventured further, "I think I can tell you what he wishes most for the day. I
do not know if it is possible, but --"

"What is it?" Raven asked.

"He told me he always wanted a secret admirer, but..." It was so simple. The
request was just like a young kid like Beast Boy would want. She could easily do
that one.

"But what?" Raven said, her eyes lighting up at the prospect. "It's so
simple, Starfire." Starfire looked at her cockeyed, so Raven explained, "We
could be the admirers. We should have different enough handwriting. This is so
simple."

"It is five minutes to one. Why do you ask, Raven?" Raven was beginning to
get acquainted with the confused expressions that her friends wore. She grinned
somewhat, "Raven?"

"I need to get something from my room first," she said quickly. "Excuse me." She
ducked out of her conversation and headed towards her room in a hurry, hoping
she wouldn't run into any more of her friends before she got there. Raven hid
herself in her room at 12:58, her heart beating fast. She could just remember
seeing the anguish on their faces. She walked over to her bed and looked at the
calendar she kept on the bedside table. Next to it was a CD she had been
listening to the previous day. 'Made in Hell'. She had Limbo himself sign it.

And now she knew he was a demon, just like his friend. To think, she
liked it because the music seemed so far off from reality. Now, it was real and
it wanted her. The clock ticked away another minute and she just turned to stare
at the ceiling. "How is he doing this? How could he be with us wherever we are.
What connects us to him?"

Valentine's Day repeated itself. Days past as Raven perfected her plan. Every
day she sought to learn more about friends. However, the days wore on her
patience, and the repetition of the chores slowly took its toll on her. She
awoke at 11 AM every morning, and she got out of bed. The boys ran through the
hall on their chase. Raven took the letter from Beast Boy without a single
hesitation. The movement was fluidly brought towards Cyborg, who took the letter
with a surprised face. She walked down the hall and into Starfire, who chirped
happily as Raven accepted her invitation.

Raven would then go to the Mall, bringing Starfire along to teach her the
simple methods to attract Robin's attention, with the intention of them leaving
them be and searching the Titan Tower's superfluous rooms for some way that Goth
was reaching them.

Today, it didn't work out quite like that.

"But, Friend Raven, certainly Robin is a mature enough individual to realize
exactly what it is he desires from a relationship." Raven couldn't count how
many times she had heard the exact same response.

She was supposed to say, 'You should suggest that it's you.' She knew she
should have said that, however, she had said it so much that she angrily,
venomously hissed out, "You know what? Maybe he does. What if he doesn't want
you, then? What if he wants someone who can give him more than just a passionate
fling? What would you do if he doesn't want you?" Starfire looked almost hurt at
this outburst. Raven stopped herself, holding her mouth shut until she could
form a sentence. "I, I didn't mean that."

"You did. You do not say things you do not mean." Starfire frowned, "Did he
tell you that?"

"Sort of." Raven frowned, "It's hard to explain. And it doesn't make sense."
She looked to the ground with a sudden intensity that it was almost as though
she had noticed that the floor was gilded with stardust. "He told me he wanted
someone smart, and trusting. Someone who would be with him if everything went to
Hell. But he didn't think that was you." She shook her head, "It doesn't make
sense."

"Why does it not make sense? Robin I trust to make careful decisions." There
was almost tangible hurt in her voice.

"That makes no sense. You and him, that makes sense." Raven felt Starfire
place a hand on her shoulder.

"Maybe." Starfire looked to Raven, "But it sounds to me he wants someone more
like you."

"Today you have been going the proverbial extra distance for all of your
friends." Starfire said, "Perhaps you are what he needs." Raven looked up from
the floor. "And if that makes him happy, then I am in turn happy as well, for my
most precious friends would be happy."

"Star," Raven said, after a lengthy pause. "We need to get back to the Tower.
I need to find something."

"What is the object of your search?" Starfire asked.

"Do you remember a band called Afterlife?"

"Ah!" Starfire said. "They are the ones who gave us the signed poster for
aiding them when their man at the front became a demon?"

"That's them." Raven looked at Star, "Where did we put that poster?"

The grim visage of Limbo bore down over the Gaming Room. Raven leaned against
a pool table and looked at the poster. It was hung above the skee-ball tables.
It was about 12:55. Raven just kept staring at it as the minutes passed away.

It was 12:59 that the image of Limbo contorted into the red-skinned demon
that she now knew to be one in the same with the Goth Rocker. Her face wore a
dark scowl. The demonic image on the poster seemingly registered this and winked
at her. This didn't affect her expression in the lightest. The seconds counted
down before it would be 1:00 PM. It seemed like the poster was emitting avatars
of Goth. Raven took something from the recesses of her cape - a matchbook. She
struck a single match and threw it at the poster, holding it up through her
power. The image didn't seem bothered by this, and even as the poster burned to
ashes, the avatars still were sent to do their duty.

"Why isn't this working?" she asked angrily. The avatars didn't respond as
one passed right through her. A chill ran down her spine. But as 1:00 PM came
around, the chill subsided as she awoke in her bed. "Something's protecting me."

Valentine's Day, 11 AM.

Raven woke up and stepped out the door. "Give that back, you green skinned
little rodent!" Cyborg yelled as he chased after Beast Boy. Raven grabbed the
letter deftly and handed it to Cyborg. "What? Uh, Raven?"

Raven didn't answer. She immediately went to the Living Room where Starfire
awaited. "Raven!" she called, her perky enthusiasm caused Raven to smile in
spite of herself. "What a glorious celebration is today! I wish you to be one of
my platonic Valentines today,"

"Sure, Star," Raven responded as cool as she could manage.

"Wondrous news!" Starfire hugged Raven. "I am most enthused! You are my most
important friend."

"That means a lot to me, Starfire." Raven knew hearing that would steel her
nerves. "Do you know where I can find some wrapping paper?" Starfire gave
directions enthusiastically, but quickly asked why she needed such. Raven didn't
answer, but assured her the answer would become clear soon enough. "Star, could
you help me out?"

"A secret admirer! He will be most overjoyed." Her expression darkened, "But
will he be able to guess it is me?" Raven shook her head and brought her finger
in front of her lips in a conspiratorial gesture. Starfire nodded eagerly and
went off to begin work on her grand project. Raven, meanwhile, lurked into a
room and began to wrap something up. It became a small square covered in hearts
and it said on it 'For Robin - Don't Open Until Midnight".

She calmly walked over to the phone and dialed a number. "Hello? Mrs. Simms?
Can I speak to your daughter? Who... oh, I'm an acquaintance of hers. Yes, from
her volunteer work. Of course I'll wait." Raven made an impatient gesture.
"Sarah? Yes, I'm Raven from the Teen Titans. I think there's something you
should know."

"And this is the second note I've found today that's been addressed to me,"
Beast Boy muttered. Cyborg didn't take any notice. He was too busy investigating
the oven.

"BB, What is this?" he asked, indicating the Tofu Turkey that lay in the
oven. "Why are you putting in this Tofu Turkey-- Tofurkey? You know I hate that
Tofu junk."

"Sorry, I just thought we could try something new." Beast Boy mentioned under
his breath, "I was kind of hoping you wouldn't notice until after you took a
bite out of it."

"He put in a Tofurkey without asking us," Cyborg said with a roll of his
eyes. "Dude, do we got anything meat for dinner?" Robin was about to suggest
that he could prepare something when Raven spoke up. The guys jumped as she
spoke, not sure where she had come from and how long she had been watching.

"Could we go to Eden's Crest?" Raven asked. "I've been wanting to go there
for some time now." The guys looked at each other, and shrugged. "Is that an
okay?"

"It is, I guess," Robin said. "I mean, it is Valentine's Day. We could do
something special. We'll have to get ready though."

"That's fine." She gave a sly smile. "Robin, here." She gave the wrapped
package to him. "This is yours. Happy Valentine's Day." Beast Boy and Cyborg
made a show of the exchange, but Raven shot them both a calm glance and a smile
and it was more than enough to shut them up.

"Er, thanks Raven." He looked at it. "Don't open until midnight? Why not?"

"Just trust me, Robin." Robin looked at her incredulously, but she was
already on her way.

"What is up with her?" Cyborg asked, after she had left. "She's been going
about like a man on a mission since she got up."

"Maybe the spirit of St. Valentine possessed her," Beast Boy said, making a
funny face and gestures to match. "And now she's being forced to do good deeds
to people on Valentine's Day."

"That's just too bizarre," Cyborg muttered. "You going to open that?"

"Not until she says I can," Robin said. "That wouldn't be right."

Starfire whirled around, her evening dress sparkling like starlight. "This is
a most magical attire!" She laughed gaily, "Raven, come, let us see your dress!"
Raven looked at her with a nervous smile. "What is wrong?"

"I have something!" Starfire said, vanishing for just a second. She emerged
with a red dress, that when she tried it on settled on her shoulders awkwardly,
but fit her form quite well. She looked herself over in a mirror. "What do you
think? I was a bit concerned about the measurements around the hips, however, it
fits well."

She didn't quite have Starfire's legs, but aside from that, she felt it
looked good. "Thanks, Star." She hesitated, "I just wanted to sa--"

"You gave Robin a Valentine's Present. Are you expressing interest in him?"
Starfire said, almost reading her mind. Raven hesitated. "You were going to ask
me for my permission?"

"How did you know?"

"Let me say that I know you a lot better than you let yourself believe,"
Starfire said. "We are friends, are we not?"

"Yeah," Raven said, quietly. "Someone a lot smarter than me once told me that
even if she wasn't the one the person she loved chose, she would at least be
happy for her most precious of friends."

"That person, how did the saying go? Read my mind?"

"You wouldn't believe it," Raven said.

"You girls ready yet? I can't believe you take like an hour to get ready."
Cyborg's voice called from through the door.

Eden's Crest looked the same as the first time they went there. The people
all looked exactly the same, and they did the same thing as they did the last
time. She wondered if Goth was going to make his appearance the same for
appearances sake.
Raven groaned, sitting down at the table while the guys all fought over who
would seat Starfire. She looked around, couples and family all enjoying the
festival of love kept to their own business, laughter and fun invaded the
atmosphere.

And then there was the romance. It sickened her. At least with this bunch she
wouldn't have to worry about it.

"I want a tofu burger."

"They don't sell that junk here, BB."

"I want one."

"You shoulda called in advance."

"What are you going to have, then, Cy?"

"Steak."

"Yuck! Meat?" Beast Boy complained. "I'd rather eat seafood."

"You know, I never understood why that was always an exception," Robin
commented.

"Friends! Friends!" Starfire pleaded. Raven looked at the scene in front of
her with a painful recollection of what had happened last time they went here.
If only she could have prevented it in the first place.

"Hey!" Cyborg said, "What's the matter, Raye?" That was
her cue.

"Nothing. Just going to powder my nose." There was a deafening silence from
the boys. They all looked furiously from one another. "Calm down, I'm not mad at
you."

"Are you sure?" Robin asked.

"Yes, definite." Raven walked to the exit, hearing the other Titans wondering
what had brought this on.

"Maybe I should talk to her?" Robin suggested. Raven paid no mind and just
walked down the street.

She closed her eyes, sighed, and she felt
herself run into something cool and clammy. Jackpot. "Going somewhere?" the
thing said. She looked up at a familiar looking young man. His pasty white skin
gleamed in the daylight. He cocked his head to the side and looked down at her
with a flirtatious glance.

"Hello, Goth."

"Changed your mind?" he asked calmly, his face contorting to that vicious
expression. She just smiled confidently. "What's that look for?"

"Well, I just wanted you to know I've figured it all out. I know how you're
doing this, and I hate to tell you this, but maybe you should reconsider your
methods." Raven hurried towards the restaurant again. "So follow me if you want
to see what."

As Raven walked to the entrance, she bumped into Robin. "Sorry," she muttered
before noticing who it was. "Robin?"

"Come on. This you have to see." She dragged him back to the seat with Goth
as Limbo following close by. As they sat themselves down, Goth stood over the
table with an air of authority.

"What did you mean, reconsider my methods, Raven."

"Hey, you're that Limbo guy from that band Raven likes," Beast Boy noticed.
The others agreed and he was soon assaulted with small-talk that he was
ill-prepared for. He tried to get Raven's answer, but 1:00 PM was fast
approaching.

"Er, please, could you, sorry, give me a moment to talk to her," he
requested. "What did you mean?"

The curse's time had come, and Robin watched Raven as she screeched in pain.
Hellfire burst through her, and in turn each of his teammates, spellbound by
this, soon found their skin torn from the inside by the explosion of brimstone.
Limbo himself looked on in disbelief as the clocks turned back to the morning.

Robin awoke.

It was Valentine's Day.

He awoke with a start, sweat running down his face. He looked around. It
couldn't be, but it was. Everything was the way it was Valentine's Day morning.
He got up, checking just to be sure. It was, definitely, Valentine's Day
morning. His alarm radio went off on the same spiel it went off yesterday
morning.

It was like he woke up in a Bill Murray movie. Only this time everyone
exploded. He remembered seeing Limbo, the kind of shifty rock star that Raven
had been a big fan of, looking very surprised at the scene. Suspiciously so. He
looked to his bedside clock. It was 10:30. It was a good hour to get up on a
holiday for. He got up and walked out of his room.

"Robin!" Starfire announced. "Salutations! How are you this bright and
beautiful morning?"

"Hi, Star," Robin said. Did she really just say the exact same thing as
yesterday?

"I think that is most sweet of you." Starfire sounded a bit hurt, however.
"You are wishing to make her happy about Valentine's Day after her adamant
showing of disinterest in the holiday yesterday evening time."

"I," Robin said, hesitating, "Yeah, I guess so." Starfire nodded and floated
off. He guess she sounded a bit hurt that he was aiming for Raven's attention as
opposed to hers. Made sense, really. He walked towards the living room and sat
down. He turned the television on and watched the news. Snapper Carr was wishing
everyone a happy Valentine's Day, and then they cut to Mark Millar with weather.

"He's wrong," Robin told himself. It was quite sunny all day, despite the
warning of clouds. He laughed.

"And this is the second note I've found today that's been addressed to me,"
Beast Boy muttered. Cyborg didn't take any notice. He was too busy investigating
the oven.

"BB, What is this?" he asked, indicating the Tofu Turkey that lay in the
oven. "Why are you putting in this Tofu Turkey-- Tofurkey? You know I hate that
Tofu junk."

"Sorry, I just thought we could try something new." Beast Boy mentioned under
his breath, "I was kind of hoping you wouldn't notice until after you took a
bite out of it."

"What?"

"Nothing!" Beast Boy cried. "Er, sorry about that." Robin leaned against the
kitchen counter. He was familiar with this scene. "I mean, tofu's not than bad."

"You know what Curd rhymes with, BB?"

"Ew, never looked at it that way."

"Think about it next time."

Robin cleared his throat, "Could you two be quiet."

"Sorry," Cyborg said. "But honestly, do we have anything I can stomach that
we could make?" He looked to Robin.

"I have an idea," Raven piped up, shocking Cyborg and Beast Boy. "Could we go
to Eden's Crest for lunch?" The guys looked to each other and then to Robin. He
thought rapidly, wondering why she would want to face down that creepy Limbo.

"Meeting someone there?" Robin asked. Raven returned his glance with her own
cool glance. "Am I right?"

"Almost," she said. "Here." She handed him the package from yesterday. "I
think you can open it by now."

"Er, thanks." The guys made a ruckus out of the exchange, but Raven's cool
glance and confident smile silenced them pretty quickly. "I'll just go get ready
for our lunch, then."

Robin looked over the package curiously. It looked like a perfectly ordinary
Valentine's Day gift, albeit a bit strange coming from Raven. He began to peel
off the paper. He wondered if this was the reason he was reliving the same day
all over again. As he tore the paper apart, something fell out of the wrapping.
He looked at the object that had been wrapped up.

It was Raven's signed Made in Hell album.

A note had also been in the wrapping, and he picked it up off of the floor
and opened it up. Raven's neat handwriting seemed to relate to him the exact
nature of what had happened.

"If you're reading this, then you must have already realized what has
happened," it began. "I realized that Goth, a friend to the demon that
last terrorized the band Afterlife, was somehow attacking us through a remote
source and began to search for ways he could have reached us. The poster he gave
us after we saved their band last time, that was what was relaying the attack.
He has been planning this for some time. The signature he gave me has somehow
shielded me from the affects of the time loop, but the entirety of Jump City
probably has been living Valentine's Day over and over again for probably 10 to
14 days now." Robin frowned.

"So why give it to me, Raven?" he asked himself aloud. When he turned back to
the letter an almost sarcastic response awaited him.

"You're probably wondering why I gave this to you by now. It's what I'd
expect of you. Over these past Valentine's Days I've come to realize I, well,
I've come to realize the meaning of Valentine's Day thanks to you. I leave it up
to your judgment now. Do I turn myself over to Goth? Or do I fight? I won't
remember his reaction, but you will. Please, I'm trusting you."

They arrived at Eden's Crest a bit after half past twelve. Robin noticed the
nervous glances of Raven as they walked into the restaurant. "We should talk,"
he whispered to her. She agreed quietly and as the others sat themselves down
they both, separately, excused themselves. They met in the foyer, as happy
couples and families all filed in to their seating. Robin never noticed how
lucky they were to be able to get in on such short notice. "Raven," he began.
She looked at him a with a sarcastic expression.

"Just give me an answer. What should I do?"

"You knew this would happen."

"I guessed it would," Raven said. "It was a big risk. But now that you know
what's been going on the past few days, we need to make a decision. What should
I do."

"What should we do," Robin reminded her. "We're a team."

"This doesn't concern the team."

"Do you honestly believe that?" Robin asked her. Raven hesitated and slowly
bowed her head. "You're as important to us as anyone. I think having to deal
with us caught in a loop would have showed you that." Robin grinned, "Remember
Groundhog's Day?"

"No." Raven added, "I know the premise, I just didn't see the movie."

"Remind me to show you it sometime." Robin grinned, "I have a plan."

"It's a date," Raven said. "What is it?"

"It's simple." He grinned, "Where does he expect you?" Robin was given
directions. "Okay, get the others ready. I've got a plan," he said and he then
walked out of the restaurant and down the street. The gaunt form of Limbo was
standing there, looking irritated. Robin smiled and gave a cordial hello, which
only roused the anger of the demon.

Robin brought out his Bo staff and brought it around to strike Limbo. It
connected and the flakey white skin peeled off to reveal his hideous red form.
"If being the key word there," Robin taunted. "I'm willing to do a bit of
experimenting to get this right. It must take a lot of effort putting an entire
city in a time loop." He attacked Goth a bit more, the demon sluggishly blocking
the attacks.

"And the only one," Beast Boy muttered. Raven only gave him a chilling smile.
"Sorry, I was just making a joke. Please don't kill me!" Starfire poked the
demon a bit, looking a bit concerned. Robin put a hand on Raven's shoulder.

"Are you okay?" he asked, softly.

"Yeah. It's the first time I've seen one minute after one in fifteen days,"
she sardonically intoned, "But I'm okay."

"Good."

Cyborg smirked, "Hey, it's good that you two are getting into the Valentine's
Day spirit and all, but we all got stuff to do. Are we going to go eat or what?"

"How will we dispose of the demon?" Starfire asked innocently. Raven leaned
down by Goth and chanted her mantra several times. As the intensity of her words
increased, so too did the glow that surrounded Goth. His form began to
dissipate, and piece by piece he was blown into the wind.

"Wow, Kansas was right," Beast Boy said, "We really are just dust in the
wind."

"Actually, I prefer to say," Robin said, "That another one bites the dust."
They were silenced by the concerned glare of Starfire.

"We should not make light of this!"

"It's okay, Star," Raven said. "This one was a particular bad egg." She got
to her feet. "Cyborg, you've got a date in five minutes."

"What?"

"Just trust me."

Cyborg looked as if she had just grown a second head. "What do you mean by
that?" he asked. There was a clearing of someone's throat from behind Cyborg,
and he turned to look at a girl he would instantly recognize as Sarah Simms.

"Vic?" she asked. "What happened to you?"

"Sa, sarah?" Cyborg asked. "Why are you here?" He looked to Raven, "How did
you --?"

"Let it go, Cyborg." Robin laughed. "Go and have some fun." Cyborg just
stared incredulously onwards.

"Hey, Victor," Sarah said, trying to get his attention, "I was promised a
date, you know."